Eden Prairie's Mike Grant named national high school coach of the year

Mike Grant, who has coached Eden Prairie to nine Minnesota prep football titles, was named the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year this morning in New York City.

Grant, who was flown out for the Super Bowl to receive the award, also gets $10,000, and Eden Prairie High School gets $15,000.

This is a great honor for a longtime close, personal friend. And Shula and I have been good friends for just as many years.

Grant, 56, was nominated by the Vikings. The son of former Vikings coach Bud Grant, Mike is 241-24 with 16 conference titles in 22 seasons at Eden Prairie. He has won three consecutive state titles, and was profiled last summer in this Star Tribune article.

Shula, who coached Baltimore and Miami, is the winningest coach in NFL history. He headed the selection committee, which also includes former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt, former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy, former Raiders coach John Madden and several other luminaries.

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Sid Hartman has been a major voice on the Minnesota sports scene for several decades. He writes a column four days a week, and has a weekly radio program on WCCO830 at 9:30 a.m. Sundays. He also can be heard at 7:40, 8:40 and 9:20 a.m. on weekdays.